Synthesis and fabrication of thin films of copolymer contains azobenzene for hydrophobic surface

Author(s)

Rafaela Cristina Sanfelice

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT)
• Defense date: 2010-07-07

Examining board members

Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior; Antonio Carlos Bender Burtoloso; Antonio Aprigio da Silva Curvelo

• Advisor: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior

Abstract

The functionalization of polymer materials to produce superhydrophobic surfaces is an important goal for a number of applications, especially those associated with self-cleaning and anti-adherent surfaces. A possible approach to achieve superhydrophobicity is to combine hydrophobic polymers with other materials amenable to be microstructured. In this study, hydrophobic copolymers were synthesized through conventional radicalar polymerization using the monomers 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5 octafluorpenthyl methacrylate (OFPMA) or 2,2,2 trifluorethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) copolymerized with the azomonomer 4-[N-ethyl-N-(2methacryloxy-ethyl)]amine-4-nitrobenzene methacrylate (DR-13MA) in distinct proportions. Polymerization was successful leading to molar masses above 10,000 g/mol, with a relatively low polydispersity. The copolymers and the homopolymers from OFPMA and TFEMA used for comparison had their structure confirmed with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The proportion of azomonomer incorporated estimated via NMR was consistent with that determined with UV-vis. spectroscopy for the relative concentrations used, namely 10, 20 and 30% in mass. The copolymers formed stable Langmuir films at the air/water interface, whose surface pressure isotherms featured a phase transition probably associated with molecular rearrangement. The surface potential of the condensed copolymer Langmuir films was negative, which indicates that the fluorine atoms were directed toward the air. This molecular organization was maintained upon film transfer onto solid substrates in the form of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films, leading to hydrophobic surfaces with contact angles close to 90º for both copolymers, which did not depend on the number of layers deposited. The organized nature of the LB films did not contribute to the hydrophobicity, however, as similar contact angles were measured for the cast films made with the copolymers. Surface-relief gratings could be inscribed on the cast films, but the contact angle was not affected significantly. Therefore, an optimization in the inscription of such nanostructures will be required for achieving superhydrophobicity. (AU)